| 8-16-12 Fuerstman's Write-in Campaign in Full Swing with "Absentee Vote by "Proxy!?" Over the past few days, I have received many inquiries by concerned NCCA members who are confused about the upcoming election? Even though it was reported (by a reliable source) that Rudolph Abate intended to seek the office of President, there is still no conformation of that by the NCCA front office? Worse, absolutely no slate of officers, at all, has been reported even though Shawn Spencer had tossed his hat into the ring for the Secretary/Treasurer position weeks ago?! (Yes, that Shawn Spencer...) What puzzles some observers is why, after previous NCCA officer Patsy Spurrier posted a question on the NCCA message board, has it not been addressed by anyone? She inquired about the elections in her first post on Tuesday, August 14 at 8:29pm, and 5 minutes later posted another message seeking info about an upcoming simo. --- At 10pm that evening, President Newsom addressed her second question about the simo, but completely ignored her first question about the election?? What is he thinking? Well, some folks have an idea... In my 40 years of chess in North Carolina, I have never witnessed as secretive and covert an administration as the current one. Many conflicts of interest have been observed. The paucity of meaningful discourse coupled with their utter lack of transparency has prevented concerned members from ever observing the books in order to verify how the money is spent, or distributed? Sure, a vague annual report has been furnished, but it lacks the details associated with proper accounting and accountability. For the good of the NCCA, it would be a positive step for the future to process a professional independent audit in order to resolve questions about issues of the past. Unfortunately, the last few administrations have made a consorted effort to prevent that from occurring. It's time for a change in North Carolina. Many fear that the unnamed and unvetted incoming officers will only serve as "puppets" for the outgoing "good old boys." And, since no official response was forthcoming concerning the usage of "proxies" for the upcoming election, (See Message 475) I strongly suggest that all members take advantage of your own system! All you have to do is, first, secure a clipboard, then weave through the crowd at your local chess club and ask friends who do not intend to attend the annual meeting to sign their names!? This will give you the right to cast their votes for anyone or issue you see fit!? And, by the way, you don't even have to come to the meeting to do it! (a meeting which has been even more inconveniently moved up to 8:30am on Sunday morning??! can they do that? I thought such announcements needed to be made 30 days in advance?) Next, send your list of "proxies" to NCCA Secretary /Treasurer Gerbin Hoekstra, 5404 Crosshill Ct, Charlotte, NC 28277. Or E-mail gerbinh@earthlink.net. If there are any other unwritten requirements, (which they will most likely amend immediately after reading this message!?) I'm sure the good Secretary/Treasurer will advise you of them... This way, you will be able to write-in the name, NM Leland Fuerstman and cast many votes without even appearing at the meeting!!? (Today, I have mailed $5 to the Sec/Treas in order to renew my NCCA membership!). Or, you may cast your "proxy" votes for anyone whom you believe will do a good job, or vote for Mickey Mouse, for that matter!? In any case, according to their current ridiculous policy, you have a right to do so! However, you may also more legitimately submit an "absentee vote" in advance and simply specify for whom you are voting. A member's E-mail should be sufficient for voting with verification made by a simple return phone call to a number provided! Remember people, only 16 members came to the last meeting and according to your Articles of Incorporation, only 10% of the members are needed for a quorum? So, even a handful of votes may swing the election! (Of course, they require 66.6% to impeach and remove an officer?) Unfortunately, the problem continues to be, that the typical chess player is apathetic about chess politics. So, I seriously doubt that this idea will actually gain much traction. And, that disappoints me. We all deserve better. NM Leland Fuerstman "Stop believing; start thinking" Anon |